I (still) live in New York City - Ask Me Anything

[allfurcoatnoknickers]

I did an AMA four years ago and thought it might be fun to do another one since I'm seeing more and NYC advice threads popping up on the Holiday board.
Anyone got any questions for a current Manhattanite? I love to play tour guide 😊.

I'm also married to a born and raised New Yorker, and we have a four year old in elementary school and a 5 month old baby, so feel free to ask away and pregnancy, birth, maternity leave and schools in the US. I see a lot of misconceptions on here I'd be happy to chat about.

Is there any green in New York? When I watch tiktoks it looks so concrete?

I see lots of videos on social media of trash bags piled up on the street, sometimes furniture, for collection. Is this how your trash collection works? Do you not have individual or communal bins that just get emptied once a week or fortnightly?

I think Central Park might tick that box!

I'd love to know your jobs, how much your rent is and what your apartment is like.

Sorry if that's too nosy 😂

Do you have a great view from your apartment?

Have you ever met any of the Real Housewives of New York?

Oh, I love NY. Went there on my honeymoon.
If I won the lottery, I'd move there.

I was watching only murders in the building last night and thinking about the rubbish thing. Do you have to separate your rubbish these days?

Is your life in Manhattan anything like Carrie’s (Satc). Probably not anymore but perhaps once!

Is it worth making the effort to do the Roosevelt tramway? It's in my lists of if we have time.

I have been allocated a big apple greeter and we are having a tour of Brooklyn - at the moment Brooklyn heights, park slope and Williamsburg I think. Any other areas you would suggest to add to that? It will be 3 hours and just us so basically our choice! Especially keen to know what areas may have fab Halloween decorations.

Also one last thing...I am thinking of going to clement clare Moore park for the Halloween meeting up and trick or treating rather than the Greenwich village parade - any thoughts on that idea.....(my children are 16/12 but desperately want to do it there - I think the oldest doesn't feel 'done' as Covid cancelled the last couple of years she could get away with here.

@SENDhelp2023 Yes, loads! There are so many green spaces, not just Central Park. Hudson River Park, Morningside Park, Riverside Park, Madison Square Park, The Highline, Battery Park to name but a few.

@Mumoftwotoddlers Nope, trash goes on the street on Monday night, Wednesday night and Friday night. There's no space for bins. We're in a small building, so we put it out ourselves, but when I lived in a massive sky scraper, we put it down a rubbish chute and the building staff put it outside in a pile. Furniture goes out on Friday (I think). You used to have to schedule a pickup, but I believe it's a designated day now. If your trash pile is a mess, you get fined.

@StillWantingADog Yes - we separate glass, paper and plastic and you get a $250 fine if you mess it up.

@ssd I have a garden apartment these days, so no. But back when I lived in Long Island City we had a spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline. I miss it, but like the private outdoor space.

@MakeMineADouble81 I haven't! But some of my friends have - sadly I have no goss except Luanne hugs people and tells them she loves them when she gets tipsy. Carol and Dorinda were always my favorites and they're not even on it any more.

@Cosycover We don't rent, we own. But if we were renting our rent would be about $8.5 or $9k per month. 2 bed, 2 bath garden apartment with a separate dining room and a sleep loft in a late Victorian townhouse carved into flats. We also have a washing machine and dryer and a dishwasher, which isn't a given in NYC. That and the private outdoor space drives up the rent.

DH works for a megabank and I'm a head of a fundraising department in a non-profit. That's as specific as I'm willing to get :)

@StillWantingADog Nothing like Carrie's I'm afraid - I wish though! Broad City is a pretty accurate representation of being young in NYC though.

@Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky That sounds like such a fun trip! I wouldn't go out of your way to go on the Roosevelt tramway, but if you happen to be there, then go for it. It doesn't take very long.

The only thing I'd add to your Brooklyn itinerary is go to Dumbo and do the famous bridge photo, explore the cobbled streets and maybe check out the Time Out market.

We trick or treat at Clement Clarke Moore (locally known as Seal Park)! I think your kids would LOVE it. It's a really community activity and everyone gets really into it. It wouldn't be weird with a 16 and 12 year old, but they'll need to really commit to the costumes - people go all out here.

I went to NYC twenty five years ago. Loved it. How has it changed since then, generally?

@Cosycover Wait, I take that comment back. Our apartment would be more like $7.5k a month. Its very similar to this one:

@LoreleiG I've only lived here 10 years, but it's MUCH more expensive and gentrified. There are barely any grotty bits of Manhattan left any more, whereas 25 years ago, where I live now was an absolute wasteland - used to be all warehouses and garages, and now it's luxury apartments and galleries. It's still a very exciting place to live though - something's always happening when you step out of your front door.

@allfurcoatnoknickers

Thanks. Was planning to do dumbo and walk back over bridge after we have finished with the greeter.

My youngest has a bat dress / cape thing to wear. The oldest is planning glow in the dark skeleton joggers but sounds like she might need to up her game...do I need to consider dressing up as well? Good to hear it's fun there - the parade just seems a bit much - if we could drop in for half hour would be good but I get the impression that may not be easy.

We are going to Salem week before so stuff will get a double outing.

Parents don't have to dress up, but lots do. I'd at least consider slapping on a witches hat and wearing black. The teenager will need at least a full skeleton tracksuit, but that would be perfectly acceptable. People wouldn't be rude or anything, but I think they'd be a bit confused because why wouldn't you go all out with a costume?

Is there a link? I'm so jealous!

I added a link! Maybe it's not working? Try here. We've done some more recent renovations, but you get the general idea.

central park?!

Was a reply to this one ☝️…!

How do you find day to day cost of living/eating out as a family?

We live in a costal Scottish town and as a family of five and it seems to get more expensive every time we leave the house.
Today (and we were home by 1pm)
Take away coffee on walk x2 £7.30
PT session for DC x3 £45
Brunch £72 plus tip so £80
Parking £4
Haircut for teen DD £34

Thanks @allfurcoatnoknickers. I have a gothicky black skirt so will get some bits to go with that and also extra bits for the girls. They are beyond excited about Halloween in NY!

@SadlyACupOfTeaDoesNotSolveEverything It's horrendous right now. We've been hit really, really hard by inflation and everyone I know is feeling it. Eating out used to be really cheap, but it's got so expensive.

The baby just woke up, but I'll try and do a breakdown like yours later.

@Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky I'll be the one with the two small dinosaurs :). You're going to have so much fun!

Do you get take aways / eat out a lot? I guess because of the way it’s portrayed in tv programmes / films I find it hard to imagine you cooking every evening! Sounds silly I know. Plus you have so much choice.

Also what is your maternity leave situation like? I have a baby a similar age and couldn’t imagine being back at work already but I believe Americans have much shorter maternity leave than over here?